Tag Archives: plan

When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. 1 Corinthians 15:37-38

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 1 Corinthians 15:51

I am no visionary. I am the first to admit it. I am envious of those who are visionaries. I’m pretty quick to admit that as well. I am impressed with the leader who says, “This is what we will look like in 5 years.” I very much believe there are people like that…leaders who know exactly what they want to achieve and who know how to cast a laser-like vision to make sure their people make it happen. So when that leader gets to that 5-year mark and is able to look back and say, “This is exactly where I said we would be in five years, and lo and behold, we did it…” I am impressed and awed. And if it is a spiritual venture, like a church, I am a little bit sad.

I am sad because that picture seems to leave little room for God’s transforming activity. You see, there may be some things about the God of the Bible which are predictable, but there is very little about His creative side which lends itself to even the best plans of men. When God gets involved in something, huge, unpredictable transformations occur…things that are not a part of anyone’s strategic plan. If we are planning correctly in the church, all we are really doing is structuring so as to enable the organization to respond quickly and efficiently …